The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-23
| COL. MICHAEL MlGEVNEY.
DEATH OF A PROMINENT Pho.
NEER OF THE BLUFF CITY.
A Life Of Beautiful Simplicity, Deep
Piety and Unswerying In
tegrity.

Gold and stiff in death, laid out In
the neat sitting room Of his late resi-.
dence, No. l79 Carroll avenue, lies the
venerable form OF Col. Michael Ma.
gevney. His demise, despite the ad-
vanced age reached, was a great shock
to bis family, friends and the public
z Morally. Wednesday he was seen
on the streets OF the city, looking
hale, hearty and in more exuberant
spirits than for years; That night he
complained OF WEAKNESS and exhaus.
ton, but it was deemed by his imme-
diste family as only the result OF un-
usual exercise. Thursday but little
improvement was noted, and the tired
feeling developed into chill. At l
O'Clock yesterday morning the synp-
toms became alarming, and DR.. E
Miles Willett, sr, his son.in-
law, was summoned to his bedside.
He found the Colonel unconscious,
but by dint of close attention and med
ical treatment, brought him back to
IA ional state. Daring the forenoon,
and as late as 2:30 o'clock p.m., a half
hour before death, his mind was per-
fectly clear, and indications pointed TO
ultimate recovery. He seemed to re-
alizs that his end was near, however,
and maintained that conviction in
numerous statements to the patient
attendants. Just before 3 o'clock he
began to sink rapidly but peacefully.
and at that hour life departed. There
was not the faintest perceptble strug.
gle, and for few moments the watch
ers thought him enjoying brief re.
pose. He died as he had lived, quiet
IL, peel fully, aud surrounded BY his
devoted wife and children and few
iliimate friends.
Although Col Michael Magevney's
name was familiar as household
word to nearly every person ia Mem
phis, few OF the younger generation
knew him personally or would even
recognize him if met face to face.
Quiet and retired in his habits, most
of his time was spent in the library at
his residence or in the society of the
fathers OF the Catholic Church, for
which he felt a striking devotion.
With strong and abiding faith 10 the
precepts and principles of that ecclesi-
astical body, no service or sacrifice
was deemed too great to advance in it's
interests and we'll being. Two OF his
nephews, Fathers Msgevney and
Lilly, were prominently identified
with the cause, while almost his en-.
tire family and relations were firm ad-
herents among the laity.
The deceased WAS born in County
Fermanagh, near Enniskillen, Ireland,
in 1914. He left the shores OF the
Emerald Isle for America when q
young man, with little beside indom-
itabe pluck, ssgacity and enterprise,
to establish himself in the new world.
He landed first at st. John, New
Brunswick. proceeding from there to
Boston. His stay in that city was not
protracted and he came South, stop.
ping q short time at Jackson, Tenn.
From there he came to Memphis, To-
eating here in 1874, and from that
time to the present has been promi-
pently identified with her most hon
ored citizens.
While Gel. Magevney was always
considered . safe and wise counsellor
in public affairs, staunch Democrat,
and with unblemished character, he
never aspired to public offices or
trusts. The only two Offices he ever
consented to hold were those OF Alder
man and seat with the Police Com.
missoners under the old form OF
municipal government. The duties OF
these he discharged with singular
ability, and with visw solely to adj
vsncing the interests Of The city. After
the expiration of these terms OF pub
lie service, he eschewed politics en-.
tirely, so far as active interest was con-
cerned, but was ever ready 10 counsel
and advise.
In private life he enjoyed the III
most respect and esteem OF all who
knew him. Digni6ed, but reserved
and unostentatious, he impressed
everyone with his true nobility OF
character and thorough unselfshn
He married three times, and raised an
honored family of children. By care
full management Of bis limited means
in early days, and judiCious invest
ments in real estate, he amassed
handsome fortune, and was ever ready
to assist in any worthy charity or be-
nevolence. He was at the time OF
death, and for years past, president OF
the Hibsrnil Society, benevolent Or
ganization, the mem oership of which
felt peculiar attachment for him.
His funeral will occur Sunday, from
st. Peters Church.